Super League stadium bought by property developer
A PROPERTY developer has acquired Belle View Stadium, the 120 year-old home of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
The 88m Group, founded by property investor Manni Hussein acquired it for an undisclosed sum, though a guide price listed the site at £600,000.
It was purchased under the stipulation that it be leased to the Wildcats.
Belle Vue consists of a 5.8 acre site located on Doncaster Road, one mile south of Wakefield city centre, and has been home to the Wakefield Wildcats since rugby’s great split in 1895, and was the venue for the Challenge Cup Final in 1923, before the competition’s showpiece game was relocated to Wembley.
The chairman of the 88m Group Manni Hussein commented: “We’re delighted to have purchased the historic Belle Vue Stadium and we are looking forward to working with the local council, supporters trust and the club to ensure its future in Wakefield.
“The Wildcats, in one guise or another, have been an integral part of the city’s identity for decades and I look forward to its continued role in the area.”
Mr Hussein launched a property portfolio following the sale of his children’s clothing chain Zarina, which he had launched at the age of 18. Initially investing in student property he graduated to commercial property by 2005.
The sale of the stadium was managed on behalf of Peter O’Hara of O’Hara & Co, acting as fixed charge receiver by Leeds-based chartered surveyor and property consultancy Sanderson Weatherall.
Neil Bestwick, a partner in Sanderson Weatherall’s asset advisory team said: “It’s great to see Belle View under the stewardship of an organisation that wants to see it thrive.
“There has been continued speculation about where the Wildcats will be based going forward and the purchase by 88m Group not just of the stadium itself but the adjoining former Superbowl site has revealed exciting new multi million pound plans for a new state of the art community stadium with student accommodation & retail park.”
The Leeds office of Addleshaw Goddard acted as legal advisors for the receiver whilst Addlestone Keane acted on behalf of 88m Group.
